THE DANIEL R. BIGELOW DIARY 1848-1853 Transcription Notes Transcribed by Roger Easton from the hand-written copy: [Spelling used in this transcription is as nearly true to the original as is possible. In some cases, when letters were added they were placed in [ ] denoting their addition. Often Mr. Bigelow used the standard "and" sign with a capital "C" following. Since there are no symbols on a modern keyboard to duplicate this symbol, "etc" is substituted for it. It is interesting that Mr. Bigelow used the old-style "f's" for "s's", The period was not used in the same way in his day, it being omitted, or a comma often used in its place. This occurs in abbreviations, at the end of some sentences, and in money, i.e. $5.00 would be $5,00. Also, as spelling was not as important then, phonetic substitutions being quite acceptable, it mattered little if the same word was spelled in different ways-- One only need look at George Washington's letters to see varied spellings of the same word even in the same sentence.] Index Page Introduction 1 Cannon ball in Brat. St. church 5 House of I, Hancock 5 Close of my first term 6 Pond on the common 7 Women hanging out clothes 8 Boston court house and State house 8 Putnam's fortifications 10 Chinese Junk 13 Grades in creation 14 Ourang-Outang 14 Death of J, Q, Adams 16 March 1st 17 Chancellor Kent 17 Sprees on Sunday by the Bostonians 18 Funeral of Adams 19 Sam Houstin 19 Wendell Phillips speech extraordinary 20 Bronson on Elocution 21 April 1st 23 Heard Webster 23 Heard Webster a second time 93, 79, 24 Judge Woodbury 24 Elder & Wilson 90 Landscape 91 Convent, fire etc 98, 92 Visit to the Medical college 94 Sermons, by Doct Walker 97, 100, 95 Chinese, negro & gull 99 California fever 102 Ballot Box 85 Trip of the plains 110 Everett's eulogy (of J.Q. Adams 25 April 19th 27 Mt. Auburn 28, 52, 64, 88 Blacks 30 Pleasant evening 31 Swedenborg meeting 33 Heat extraordinary 34 Doct, Franklin's birthplace, & fort hill 34 Row at Old Fanneil 35 Crazy man 36 June 1st 37 Phillippe 37 King the Irish Preacher 38 Ancient & honorables 38 Good Opinion of good man 38 Greenleaf's resignation 38 Greenleaf's portrait, & last lecture 40 Bunker hill anniversary 41 Guildings 44 July 4th 45 Visit to Concord & Lexington 46 Custom house, and Caterpillars 48 Plymoth 48 Misery 49 Fish pond and Washingtons head quarters 49-50 Massachusetts volunteers 50 Fine garden & shipyard. also college garden 53 Washington Elum 54 White mise, Irish female lawyer etc 55 Foundary, & Greek Slave 56 Visit to Lynn, Salem, Nahant etc 57 Father Taylor, & Cushings garden 60, 59 Lowell 61 Market, Shipping, & Fanneuil hall 98, 63 Commencement 64 Balloon 68, 66 John Vanburen 67 Vermont lavender 67 Inscription on the Lexington monument 71 Doct Johnson, John P, Hale etc 74 The theatre, Forest etc 75 Davis, and Parkers remarks 89 Election 85 Cotton Mather, Henry, Poetry etc 58-89,et. 86 INTRODUCTION Another year has commenced--eighteen forty seven, with its many opportunities for improvement has gone forever; one more year has been added to my existence, and what I have done towards acting well my part in "the great drama of the world. " How much have I done with which I have cause to feel satisfied? In whatever way these questions may be answered the past cannot be recalled; time with its noiseless, but ceaseless tread, has brought me to the threshold of another year, and as it throws the curtain of endless night upon the past, it silently tells me that Pg. 2 the books of eighteen forty seven are closed not to be reopened until the resurrection morn. I contemplate keeping in this book a journal for the coming year. I think it may be useful in many ways. It will enable me to look back upon my track, and see what course I have pursued. Not that I am ever to pass over the same road again; for human life is like a river, it starts from its source, and it rolls on in one unceasing flow, there being no place where it can be said to stop and begin again. And like a river flowing on widening, deepening, gathering strength from a thousand sources, making the gentle shower, the deafening storm, the murmuring rill, the warbling brook, and gentle creek all contribute to swell its current, until it is itself lost in the ocean: so should our life be, so should we increase in knowledge from the cradle to the grave, gathering experience, and from experience wisdom enriching Pg. 3 our understanding from the streams of ancient learning--from the teachings of the wise, and the council of the aged. thus widening deepening our intellect until it is lost in the ocean of eternity. But that I may be able to trace the meandering of my past life, and see where I have deviated from the right--where I have passed unproffitably by opportunities for improvement--where useless pleasure or congress has robbed me of golden moments-- where buoyant hope or burning ambition has been to sanguine--where perserverance, industry and fortitude has been to desponding: and by this means endevour to correct my errors, mourn over time forever lost, take courage where I see desponding hours I have survived difficulties I have surmounted; in short I hope the journal will prove a light throwing its beams into (posterity) to guide my steps and facilitate my progress. I also hope to preserve some useful ideas, that might otherwise be forgotten; note some pleasing incidents, such as occur in the life of every one, trifling in themselves perhaps, but yet Pg.4 make such a pleasing impression upon the mind that they are recalled, as a traveller recalls the recollection of an oasis in a desert. I contemplate also giving a place upon these pages, to my observations upon men and (theory) I am now near Boston in which there are many (theorys?) to be seen and learned, there are also in this vicinity many reminisences of the revolution, many spots of earth hallowed by patriot blood, many things to awake the pride and feed the patriotism of an American. I intend to visit as many of these places as practicable and to record in this book whatever may seem to me useful or interesting. These are some of the inducements that have led me to commence this book, I may add another; it may perhaps be interesting at some future period, for my friends and relatives, who have ever been so kind to me, and taken so deep an interest in my welfare, to peruse these pages and see how I have employed my time--how their affection and assistance has been realized on my part, and how my opportunities for improvement have been appreciated. These are the objects that have brought me to my present resolve to keep a succinct account of every days transactions during the coming year. how, and to what extent this resolve will be kept, time alone will prove. Cambridge Jan 1st 1848 Pg. 5 In the morning finished Moore's Life of Sheridan. Then walked into Boston in company with, Parker, and Mudge, to subscribe our names for the Lowell Lectures. Saw the cannon ball in the church, in Brattle St, shot in the revolution, it is near a window in the second story, and imbedded in the brick about half its size. Came home, bought this book, read XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, et XIV chapters of the 3rd book of Blackstone Sunday Jan 2nd Heard two fine and instructives sermons from Dr Walker. Read The Sacred Mountains, by Headly, very sublime, worthy of a second perusal. Read Story's Address at the consecration of Mt Auburn, Sept 24, 1831, a very fine production. Jan 3rd Evening 10 O clock Spent this day for the most part in the Law Library, and have improved my time well. Tuesday the 4th Went over to Boston in the morning to get my tickets for the Lowell Lectures on Ichtheology. Saw the house that belonged to John Hancock in which he lived; it is built of free stone, hewed in front, but rough upon the ends of the house, the windows are surrounded, with a sort of marble or white stone, the corners of the house also is laid up with this same white stone, there is a platform Pg. 6 over the front door, and a railing on the roof, it looks antiquated now, but it evidently was built with much taste and expense, at that time. his sons live there now and are said to be drunken and profligate, degenerate sons of an illustrious father. Came back and attended Spark's Lec on our treaty with England at the close of the Revolution, refer to C.P.B. spent the rest part of the day in the study of law. Jan 5th Spent the day in the library. went into Boston in the evening to Potters lecture, in company with Elder, who was much frightened on account of robbers. Jan 6th Spent the day in the library, finished the 3rd vol of Blackstone, came home at 4 O clock and read the globe until, 10 Jan 7,th Spent most of the day in the library, This day closes our Law term, Greenleaf told us that he had practiced Law 42 years, and his thirst for knowledge, was as strong as ever. new fields, were still opening, he dismissed us with the words of Lord Coke "I wish unto the gladsome lightof jursiprudence, the lovlienss of temperance, the stability of fortitude, and the solitude of justice. This term I think I have learned something. how to study the law, and am in hopes that I shall be able to pursue the study, with increasing advantage for the future. wrote a letter in the evening to Springfield. Pg.7 Jan 8th Spent the day in writing, and reading the Globe, and The Lay of the Last Minstrel, played a game of chess, with Parker, at his room. Sunday the 9th In the morning the ground was covered with glare ice, so that it was extremely difficult to go at all, but my own slippings, and slidings, were compensated by the fun I enjoyed in seeing others creep along etc, Went to hear Dr Walker in the forenoon, and spent the afternoon in conversation with Parker, in the evening read the Bible. 10th Spent the day at Mudges room rather unprofitably, in the evening packed up to move for vacation, to Mr Hay's and read the Federalist. 11th Moved up to Hays in the morning, drew my books for next term, in the evening visited at Mr. Baldwins. 12th Read Bailments in the forenoon, in the late noon went into Boston and heard a lec on Ichthyology, saw a young man there with a long cue behind, as was the custom informer times, as we came across the Commons we saw a vast number of boys skating on the pond, the same one that the brittish broke up in revolutionary times. The little girls, also, were skipping about on the common like lambs in spring, compared with former times, it was a beautiful scene. Pg. 8 Jan 13th Spent the day reading Bailments, and one of Webster's famous Law arguements etc. 14th Spent the day in reading Bailments. 15th Read Law in the forenoon, in the afternoon went into Boston and heard Agassis lecture (see) Commonplace book. Saw in Boston clothes hung out to dry on the tops of the houses. I thought that we in the country were fortunate that there was no occasion, for wash women to climb so high in the world. Sunday the 16th This has been a delightful day warm and clear, the sun has shone all day like May, I have spent a portion of the day in walking, and viewing the beauties of the scenery around fresh pond, Mt Auburn etc 17th Went to the library and drew books in the morning, read afterwards, Mr Stewarts speech on the report of secretary Walker, read some law, played chess some etc. 18th Read Law, in the afternoon went down to the P O came back through the lots, and saw the willow wood etc. 19th Went into Boston immediately after breakfast and went into court, the Police, Municipal, Common Pleas, and State Supreme Court were all in session in the courthouse. They done business so slow that I did not stop long, but went to the Legislature. Pg.9 Went into the Senate gallery a little before eleven. The Senate was composed of very intelligent looking men, for the most part aged. At eleven the Speaker called the house to order, and the Senators arose and listened to an appropriate and able prayer by the Chaplain. The Senators desks are arrainged in the form of an Ellipse, and they sit around upon the outside of this. There is behind the Speaker, above the coat of arms of Mass, below that hang the portraits of John Endicott, John Winthrop, and John Leverett. In front of the Speaker, on the front side of the gallery, hangs an old drum, with one head knocked out, and an old sword, and a musket, with the bayonett twisted, and a Hessian cap, it was shaped some like an old mans night cap, it was red and was bordered with gold leaf, taken at the battle of (Bennington). Went into the Assembly chamber, and there quite a contrast met my eye the Members did not look intelligent, more noise etc; the seats were arranged in the shape of a half moon Members had no desks, and no place to write only on the back of the seat in front, it seemed more like a meeting where the Members were only earless listeners, and not the actors. Above the Speaker, was the coat of arms of the State, and above that was an Eagle standing on a canon ball, his breast shielded by the Stars and stripes, and holding in his mouth the motto "God save the common wealth of Mass" opposite the Speaker, near the ceiling, was a fish Pg. 10 it looked like a cod etc. On the first floor of the Capitol in an alcove is a noble statue of Washington. The House adjourned a little after twelve. I then took a walk across the Common, there is an old (elum) near the pond that they have surrounded with a railing and its branches are supported by rods and bands of iron fastened to the main trunk. came back and went into the court of C.P. at 3 O,clock went to Agassis's lecture, came home and read 75 pages in Bailments in the evening. 20th Spent the whole day in my room reading Law and news papers. 21st Felt rather unwell, did not read much until evening, Went to the P.O. in the morning. In the afternoon went up to fresh pond, and saw them cutting ice, in the evening read 60 pages of law. 22nd Read Law in the forenoon, in the afternoon went into Boston to hear a lecture on Ichthyology, went by way of Putnam street, and saw the remains of the fortifications raised by General Putnam, there is now only a trench, and an embankment to be seen. In the evening read law. 23rd Felt very stupid all day with a severe cold did nothing but read a little miscellany. 24th Cold worse, with a severe cough, relieved it somewhat by taking hot drops, and cough drops. Spent the day reading law and newspapers. Pg. 11 25th Had the Phthisic very bad, could not lie down at all the night before, did nothing all day, got a little sleep that night in chairs. 26th Felt better, went down town and got in the ingredients for making a medicine, which Dr Kingsford, says is a sure cure for phthisic, wrote a letter to Springfield in the afternoon. 27th Felt better. read law most of the day. did not stir out of doors, it rained incessantly all day. 28th Read law in the morning, went down town before noon, and put in a letter for Springfield. in the afternoon read law and played chess. 29th Read law very diligently. about 120 pages, finished Blackstone, pumped water for exercise etc. 30th Sunday, A beautiful day, walked into Boston to hear Chapin (Universalist) in the forenoon. Text "He causeth the rain to fall etc" He is a good speaker, his sermon was good, he said religion made us free and was the willing grateful homage of a dutiful child to a loving father. Came home and read in the Bible, and other works. 31st Wrote a letter in the morning, to I.W.N. and went to the Post O. in the afternoon read The Globe, and played chess. Feb 1st Very stormy, we are having a real N.E. snow storm. It is the first snow we have had, with the exception of two or three inches, which stayed on Pg.12 but two days. Commenced Chitty on Contracts this day. read 60 pages. read some in Cicero's Commonwealth. Snow storm ended before night. etc colder. 2nd Read law in the forenoon, in the afternoon went into Boston to Agassis's lecture, saw a great deal to liveliness. and glee manifested. by the old folks and young folks, slay riding. many of the cooped up Clerks, take such an occasion to take a ride and enjoy the open air, and when they are out they fulfil the old maxim, "Shallow waters make the most noise" 3rd Read law, went down town and got a letter from my sister, and a Globe, read them, and played chess the rest of the day. 4th Read law. It rained in the afternoon, changed into snow in the evening. 5th Read law a little in the morning. Went into Boston in the afternoon to Agassis's lecture, could not help noticing how many ways. there was devised to attract attention. One building nearly covered over with pictures of wax figures shown within, and "wax figures. written in large characters on all sides. All the shop keepers strive to see who shall make the greatest show, outside in order to attract attention to their shop. 6th Wrote a letter to Lovell, walked down and put in the office. folks were having great times slay riding, Sunday is a great holiday to the Boston Clerks. Pg. 13 7th Read law all day, hard, and read Dix's speech on the war 8th Read law some, received a letter from Springfield wrote some in the evening, and read Cicero's Commonwealth 9th Went to see the Chinese Junk, It seems to be very strongly built, the bow and the stern are built up very high, the bow I should think higher than the stern, and then it (hollows) down in the middle. I saw a Chinese man, and woman both had on a black, hood like, and narrow shoes they were nearly if not quite as black as a yellow negro. I then went to see the bodies of Colonel Ransom, and Scott, and Capt Thompson escorted from the custom house to the depot, by the military, and a band. The band played a solemn requium, and with muffled drum, the bodies were escorted. I next went to the museum to see the play of the enchanted horse. The scenery is the most magnificent I ever saw splendid., Came home and wrote a letter to Fay, have not read much today. 10th Exercised some in the morning, and read some and played chess some during the day. 11th Read some in Branch's Maxims, and in newspapers went down town and got a letter from I W. Nott, and paid a quarter on my Globe, which takes it to the 31st number, Read law the remainder of the day, and played chess, read Globe some etc. Pg. 14 12th Read a little in the morning, and went into Boston bought a pair of shirts, and a black, and red silk handkerchief, all $4,25. Went into the Horticultural hall, and saw some fine paintings, some very fine as Byron's villa, himself seated on a rock in the fore ground, also the natural bridge in Virginia, Niagara falls etc, I then went to hear a lecture from Agassis on Ichthyology, he showed the difference between fishes in structure, some having a bony frame work, and some cartelagenous one, and showed that fishes were first created, and then animals of higher grades in regular succession, until man was formed last of all etc. 13th Sunday. did not go to church, read some in the Bible and some in newspapers, walked up to fresh pond, and saw them getting in ice, In the evening went to hear a temperance address, at the Unitarian Church, by Mr Brown Esq of Watertown, pretty good. 14th Went down to the Post office, and got some more medicine for my phthisic, "of the same sort" read law some, and some in the globe, and some in the lives of the Chancellors of England. 15th Went up to fresh pond in the morning and saw them getting ice. came back and read law the rest of the day. 16th Read law in the forenoon, In the afternoon went over to Boston, went in and saw the wax figures, and the serpents, and the ourang-outang, he looked very much like a human being, his arms and his hands, and Pg. 15 feet, his head was covered with hair, and hair came down the sides of his face and under his chin, like the whiskers of a man, his face was pretty much bare, his mouth was similar to mans, only the lips protruded more, his teeth seemed similar, his nose also, only very short, his natural way of travilling seemed to be on all fores, but he could walk erect like a man, his cough was like that of a man, and his general appearance, was strikingly similar to the human species, he would set up in the chair like a man. Went next and bought a gold pen at No 15 State Strt, next bought a pair of boots at (Easthands Arice strt), came home and read in the evening. 17th Wrote a letter in the morning to Shoecraft, then read, law, in the evening went into Boston to hear Gough on temperance, in old Faneuil Hall, the hall was full and Gough was very very eloquent, (see Corn pl Book) 18th Read law some, and one of Websters speeches. 19th Read law some, and read my Globe, went up to fresh pond and saw them at work at the ice. 20th Sunday, rained, wrote a letter to my Aunt, and read some in the Bible, and in common place book of Parkers, 21st Went down town, read some in the Globe, some law etc. in the evening went to Baldings, on an evening visit. 22nd Read some, played chess some etc received a letter from brother Lovell 23rd Read some in the forenoon, and went into Boston in the afternoon to see about lumber for Lovell. Pg. 16 24th Had a bad cold, and sore throat, paid my bill for vacation, and moved back to my old room had the pthisic bad in the night, could not lie a bed, the medicine I commenced taking a month ago has not cured me yet, but I think it has helped me some 25th Kept my room felt rather miserable, some better at the present time, seven o clock in the evening. heard of the death of John Quincy Adams. Truly a great man has fallen one who has passed through most of the scenes and events, that make up the history of our nation, one who has filled the first office in the nation, But the old man has gone to his grave in a green old age, years have been multiplied unto him beyond the common lot of mortals, If one nation is never served by a man less, qualified, less honest, or less faithful we may hope long to exist as a nation. He fell at his post, in his seat on the floor of Congress, he was attacked. He was 80 y. 7 m 12 d old 67 y of which was spent almost entirely the public service. 26th Felt much better did not do much but meditate and have the (hisso), wrote 2 letters 27th Sunday, went to church in the morning in the afternoon felt rather melancholy. Pg.17 in thinking over the lot of man. It seemed to me that so far as ourselves are concerned, that we have nothing earthly to live for. would we live to gratify ambition. if we could have our every aspiration realized, what would that amount too, all nothing 28th We met Parker for the first time this morning, he was considerably frightened, but appeared well. I have read some in Kent to-day, Law Students returning etc March 1st Parker gave his first lecture to-day, he gave us as introductory, the life of Chancellor Kent, his life seems to have been one of great industry and usefulness, he was in his 85th year when he died I have spent the afternoon in reading Hales history of the Com Law, and the evening in reading the Globe 2nd Greenleafs first lec to-day, he impressed upon our minds the necesity of going to the fountain, as in real property for instance to go back to to the old feudal system for its principals, read law the rest of the day 3rd Spent the day reading law, Parker,s lectures were good to-day 4th Heard Greenleafs lectures, on Cruise, and Equity Read law, etc, in the evening was the first meeting of the Dan Club this term, I was chosen one of the disputants on the veto power, for next week, in the negative. Pg.18 March 4th I see I have made a mistake in dates for two or three days back owing to Feb having 29 d this year, Went down to the Port in the morning and got a new crystal in my watch, it stopped soon after I came back, Spent most of the day writing etc 5th Sunday Went to church in the forenoon but was unable to keep my attention fixed upon the sermon very much, Spent the rest of the day meditating upon mans future destiny, and upon many other subjects, not at all befitting to the day, read the bible some also. It is pretty good sleighing to- day, and the rowdies have been riding and hollowing, racing etc, I had always supposed that Massachusetts was more moral, more rigid etc than N.Y. or any other State, but such hollowing, such swearing, and racing as I have seen this day in this good city of Cambridge I think would not be tolerated in a country town in New York. Sunday is a high day here, the chaps go out to Porters about a mile from here and get liquor, and that fits them for making a noise in the world 6th Spent the day in the library, wrote in the evening. Received a letter from home to- day, containing a deed etc 7th Signed the deed and got it acknowledged etc and sent it home, tended lectures and moot- court. Pg. 19 8th Tended the lectures, and read Cruise, also looked up the cases on the next trial 9th Spent the day in the library, reading and examining the case for next week. 10th Tended the lec in the morning, In the afternoon went into Boston to see the funeral procession of John Quincy Adams. The body was drawn by 6 horses trimmed with crape, and each having a long black feather in his headstall, It was escorted by the military, and followed by the committee, consisting of Congressmen 29 in number one from each state, The shops in Boston was closed, and the principal streets were shrowded in mourning, the flags were hung at half mast, etc, There was an immense crowd in the streets, The bells were tolling and minute guns fireing etc 11th Spent the forenoon in the library, the afternoon in my room reading, and evening also, 12th Sunday, did not go to church to-day, wrote a letter to my sister, and read Butler's Anaolgy, and some in the Bible etc 13th Heard of the death of Mr Wheaton, Greenleaf made some remarks, and omitted one lecture, Met with the law club in the afternoon, and then played chess until supper, in the evening read Kent 14th Spent the day in the library, In the evening went to hear Samuel Houston speak in the Fre- Pg. 20 mont. He is a pretty good speaker, he was listened to with much applause. He maintained that the U.S. had gained everything in annexing Texas, while all Texas gained was she got herself into good society. 15th Spent the day in the library, heard that N.H. had gone loco strong. heard of the death of C, Justice Spencer of New York 16th Spent the day reading law reported cases etc 17th Tended the lectures in the morning, In the afternoon went into Boston to hear Wendell Phillip (abolitionist) address a committee of the legislature upon a petition, signed by about one thousand persons white and black, for the legislature to take measures peaceably to withdraw from the union. He addressed the committee in the assembly chamber, There was quite an audience present. He spoke above two hours. He said, that it was said that their petition sought to subvert the constitution, he admitted it, Our government had proved a failure, the constitution itself was a convenant with death, and an agreement with hell. He spoke eloquently and ably, but showed no sufficient reason to my mind for a dissolution of the Union. Mr. Garrison spoke also on the same subject, they were both confident that they should ultimately succeed. I was somewhat surprised that the committee should hear them upon such a subject. but I am Pg. 21 told that in Massachusetts petitioners have a right to be heard upon their petition, through any man they may choose, and the committee evidently heard them for no other reason, than to preserve inviolate the right of petition. 18th Spent the day in my room reading some. and heard of the revolution in France, received an A.O. catalogue from W. I. Magill, U.C. 19th Sunday. Went into Boston in the forenoon and hear Mr Kirk preach, it was a good sermon, came back through Charlstown, and by the way of the old convent, went to Parkers room and read his paper etc until supper, in the evening wrote a letter home 20th Tended the lectures in the morning, in the afternoon the club. in the evening read law. heard that the pope has been driven from his throne because he refused to go on in the work of reform as the people wished 21st Tended the lectures in the morning. In the afternoon read some law, and some in J. Q. Adams rhetorick 22nd Tended Greenleaf's lectures in the morning & professor Webster's on mineralogy in the afternoon, in the evening read Kent etc 23rd Tended lectures in the morning, in the afternoon moot court, in the evening heard C. P. Bronson on Pg.22 elocution, its connexion with music etc he said that but few spoke right or breathed right, the air cells of the lungs if spread out would cover a room 15 ft square and many folks by speaking from the chest and breathing from the chest, did not half fill the lungs, and were soon tired out in speaking, he said the abdominal and dorsal muscles ought to be used in breathing and speaking 24th Attended the lectures in the morning, read in my room in the afternoon, in the evening attended the club. This is my birthday. I am 25 years old, and have as yet done scarcely anything in preperation for life or death, and thus time flies, one year after another glides away, and seem to leave no trace behind. 25th Read in my room, wrote some etc 26th Sunday, Walked in the morning up to Mount Auburn, in the forenoon went to church, the rest of the day, read some etc 27th Attended the lectures in the morning, in the afternoon went to Boston, in the evening read law, and newspapers. 28th Attended the lectures in the forenoon, in the afternoon moot court in the evening wrote 29th The day has been spent as usual, in the library etc 30th Spent the day reading law and newspaper, received a letter from Magill, informing me of the high state of excitement at Union Pg. 23 31st Spent the day in the library looking up a case etc, the evening was devoted to the club and our playing of chess April 1st Remained in my room, read the Globe, wrote etc read of the death of John Jacob Astor the richest man in America. He has not left an enviable name to the world in my estimation, he was penuirious. it is said. his facilties, which were strong was bent upon one object-- the making of money He was 84 y, of age 2nd Sunday. In the morning walked with Parker over on to the hills toward Brookline, we had a very fine view of Boston and the surrounding country, got back at 11, read in Butler's Analogy and wrote a letter home, in the afternoon went to church in the chapel, heard a sermon on the French revolution. 3rd Went to Boston in the morning to get a tooth filled and to see Webster but did not see him came back to the lectures, and tended the club in the afternoon. 4th Went to Boston in the morning to get my tooth filled but it was not yet so that it could be handled, came back to the lectures, and then went back, and heard Webster for the first time, in the state house, he is a good looking Pg.24 man, stands up very strait when he speaks his enunciation is very slow, distinct and deliberate, his gestures do not seem to me as very impressive. His head is very full in front his perception very large, his forehead is not high before it begins to slope back considerably 5th Attended the lectures in the morning in the afternoon went to hear Daniel Webster again got a better view at him, he has got a remarkable head, an immense quantity of brain, his perceptive faculties extremely large, and then about a half an inch above his eye-brows there seems to be a jet out still further, the angle from the eye-tooth to the middle lobe of the ear, and to the highest point of the forehead approaches near to a right-angle than in any person I have ever noticed. 6th This is fast day appointed by the governer went and heard Dr Walker preach in the morning, read law and rhetorick the rest of the day. 7th Spent the day in library, in the evening attended the Dane club, and made a speech. 8th Went into Boston in the morning and had a tooth filled, went into the U.S. court, saw judge Woodbury, he looks like a smart man. spent the rest of the day in reading contingent and vested remainders, and rhetorick. Pg.25 9th Sunday. Walked with Parker in the morning up the Charles, as far as the U.S. Arsenal, came back through Brighton, saw there an example of the benefits of a grog-shop, had a very pleasant walk, the day has been beautiful, the scenery was delightful, got back at 11, read some in Butler's Analogy, after supper walked with Hubbard up to the college garden and to fresh pond evening beautiful, came back, about 8 and read some in the Bible etc 10th Attended the lectures, Moot court in the afternoon read Abbott on Shipping in the evening. 11th Spent the day in the library as usual. 12th Spent the day as usual, received a letter from Shoecraft 13th Heard the lectures, read Kent the rest of the day etc Miss Hermans poems 14th Attended the lectures, etc moot court in the afternoon, Valentine made some fun, our club met in the evening, I did not Speak when I came out had a very narrow escape from being run over by a horse 15th Went into Boston to hear the euology of Edward Everett, on John Quincy Adams the law students were allowed a place in the procession, getting into Faneuil Hall was a little the most pressing work that I have ever experi- Pg. 26 enced, it seemed as though our boddies would be broken in by the press, there was groaning and complaining on all sides, the benches and chairs were broken to splinters, and I deem myself very fortunate that I escaped with no broken limbs, although the crown of my hat was torn out, I at last obtained a very good situation, and heard the speech, rising of two hours in length, it was good. The hall was hung in mourning, the offices the deceased filled were printed in flowing capitals on the sides of the gallery, and the words of Washington "That he was the ablest of our diplomatic Corps," also the inscription of Daniel Webster's "that he was born a citizen of Mass, but died a citizen of the U.S." also the last words of the "old man eloquent" "this is the last of earth" The choir which was large gave us some very good music. This I suppose will close the public ceremonies on Adams. They have been many, expensive and magnificent. Massachusets I think takes more pride in honoring her men than any other state, they cannot do too much for one of her favored sons, if a man becomes popular here, he is applauded, and almost deified, thus men of quite ordinary capacities are continually propped up, they cannot fall, Pg. 27 16th Sunday, Walked nearly all the forenoon with Parker first, then with Hubbard, in the afternoon read in Butler's Analogy and in the evening. 17th Went into Boston in the morning, and got my head measured for to get a hat made, it was foggy going over the bridge, I could see the top of Bunker hill monument above the fog, but could not see the bottom, it looked curious, as if it were in the clouds, came back to the lectures, in the afternoon argued a case in our law club, and attended moot court etc 18th Spent the day in the library doing the same as H, Clay was doing at the battle of N.O. Apr 19th This is the aniversary of the battle at Lexington and it has been celebrated at that place, it snowed from some time in the night until two O clock in the afternoon constantly, there is now about four inches of snow on the ground. Greenleaf did not lecture to-day on the account of illness, I have spent the reading law 20th Walked into Boston in the morning to get a hat but did not get it, spent most of the day in the library. 21st Went to Boston in the morning and got a hat came back to the lectures, read Bentons speech on the California claims, and went to Wyman's first lec on anatomy, attended the club in evening. Pg. 28 22nd Read pretty steadily in the forenoon. In the afternoon took a stroll in Mount Auburn Cemetery. This is situated in Cambridge, about a mile and a half from the colleges, and about five miles from Boston It contains a hundred and ten acres of land, that is consecrated to the service of the dead, and most fitly is it chosen; nature and art have both apparently exhausted themselves to make it a hallowed spot The lot is made up of hills and dales, ravines and valleys, covered with trees and shrubbery of various kinds interspersed with the wild flower, containing also several beautiful little ponds of water. So that in a state of nature it was a wild romantic place, where the student of nature might feed his craving mind to the full upon her estatic delights. But art must come in for its full share in throwing charms around the scenery. The taste and ingenuity of man has attempted to add to natures works, the crucible of the (Brurier), the chisel of the sculptor, and almost everything that wealth or affection can command has been brought into requistion; thousands upon thousands of dollars have been expended in laying out and ornamenting the ground, nature art, and private affection (by planting flowers and shrubbery upon and around the graves of their departed friends) have succeeded in making it an enchanted spot. It is a delightful place for a walk, for contemplation, for reflection, and to Pg.29 obtain instruction from the silent, though impressive voice of the tomb. Many imposing monuments Mausoleums, Cenotaphs, Shafts, Slabs and inscriptions meet the eye, one of the latter I saw which seemed to me to contain volumes "The lament of the poor pronounced his euology." For a description of some of the most admired works of sculptures see "Guide book through Mt Auburn". In the evening commenced a letter to my sister. 23rd Sunday, In the forenoon penned some thoughts suggested by a visit to Mt, Auburn, in the afternoon Hubbard called at my room, and remained some time conversing, went to Church, and heard a sermon upon the necessity of progression, read some in Butler's and in the Bible etc 24th Spent the day as usual, in the library etc 25th Study has been attended to pretty fruitfully to-day, Thompson was here a part of the afternoon examining my papers. There is a great meeting to-night in Faneuil hall, about the recaptured slaves at Washington DC. 26th Greenleaf gave one lecture today, he has been ill for a time. had a good game of ball before supper read Kent in the evening 27th Read Cruise on uses, 4 hours in the morning, then came the lectures, in the afternoon read Bacon on uses, played ball an hour before supper, in the evening read Kent on trusts. Pg. 30 28th Studied pretty hard on uses, & trusts, attended a lecture on anatomy (see com plase book) Brown a law student killed a horse to-day worth $300, by hard driving 29th Attended the Dane Club in the forenoon question "Are the free blacks citizens within the meaning of the Constitution." I was chairman and decided that when a state made them citizens of the state then they were citizens within the meaning of the constitution, of the U.S, wrote some in the afternoon, and read the Globe in the evening wrote a letter to Brother Lovell 30th Sunday. Read some in Butler's Analogy, Etc went to church once, heard a sermon from the 74 Psalm 16 v May 1st Greenleaf gave but one lecture to-day on account of his health, I have been quite unwell myself, and consequently not done much 2nd No lectures to- day it has been exhibition day in the academiac department. read some in Smith's Wealth of Nations, & some in Kent, wrote some etc 3rd Spent the day as usual. an alarm of fire in the evening 4th A very pleasant day. Occupied myself in the library the greater part of the day. 5th Spent the day in the library. Saw Hovey today from Ellisburgh, and received $100 of him. Pg.31 6th Attended the Dane Club in the forenoon, in the afternoon went into Boston to see some Ellisburgh folks, came back through Charlestown, saw some of the prisoners in the states prison, one half of their clothes were red and one half blue, caps and all wrote some in the evening. 7th Sunday. Went to the Presbyterian church in the morning and heard a sermon from the text "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God," John 1st E. and 5th. In the afternoon read some, and meditated some; about 6 O clock we had a delightful shower, it ceased before 7, and setting in my window fronting a little square ornamented with trees and shrubbery it seemed to me that I never before enjoyed such a fresh; such a beautiful, such a delightful landscape. The trees with their young leaves refreshed by the gentle shower,-the grass quickened to new life,- the pure air-- the sun casting his soft beams over all, as if to add his blessing to the scene before bid adieu to earth, and last of all the rainbow the crowning work of all earthly beauties, the bow of promise, the Queen of nature, the pledge of God. O Man! can ye look upon such a scene and say that earth hath no banquets for man, a sight which ought to make a heart of adamant, to throb with Pg. 32 estatic delight or can man with such a scene before his eyes think that art can ever rival nature? An erring thought, a vain immagination--To nature alone is it given to exhibit loveliness, beauty, grandeur, sublimity--in all its glorious perfection 8th Walked down to the Charles, between 4 & 5 in the morning, and saw the tide going out, and had a fine salt water breeze, spent the rest of the day as usual. 9th Passed through the same routine of study, lectures exercise reading writing etc 10th Attended Greenleaf's lecture in the forenoon, in the afternoon attended the Dudlean lecture by (Doc) Gillman of South Carolina, wrote in the evening 11th A very wet cold, and windy day, spent my time about as usual 12th Was present at the lecture, in the afternoon walked with Parker up to (Summerville), read some in the library, in the evening played a game of chess with Parker which occupied us about two hours, came out a draw game 13th Attended the Dane club in the forenoon and made a speech, a pretty good one, came away with a severe headache, which with some other troubles me from accomplishing much the rest of the day, except to play ball an hour. Pg.33 14th Went into Boston in the morning and attended the Swedenborg meeting, heard Webb on the organ (a celebrated musician of Boston, who has got out several musical works) he makes splendid music. The preaching seemed to be principally to show the similarity between the passions of men, and the different kinds of animals. Came back and attended service at the Episcopal Church in the afternoon at 3 O clock and heard a sermon upon the duty we are under to keep the Sabbath day holy. I then attended a service at the chapel at half past 4, O clock and heard a sermon upon the duty we are under to aspire to be a perfect man; the preacher showed that sin was a greater hindrance, than any thing else to our attaining perfect manhood, and that no one can lay claim to be called a man in the full sense of the term until he had taken upon himself the cross of Christ, asked and obtained help from him, to assist us to become a perfect man, Read fifteen chapters in the book of Exodus, some in Butlers Analogy etc 15th Attended Greenleafs lecture on Cruise in the morning. - there was none in Equity. In the afternoon attended Wymans lecture on physiology, it was excellent he showed difference between the ourang, negro and Caucasian races, among other things. at 4 O clock attended the Harvard club in the evening read Abbott. Pg. 34 16th Attended the lectures in the morning, and moot court in the afternoon, played ball about an hour. 17th Attended the lectures, Greenleaf's et Wymans (see, c,p,b) and read some, etc 18th Attended the lectures, read in my room, wrote a letter to Shoecraft etc 19th Attended Parker's lectures, and Wymans, moot court also, all very good,(see, com place books) to-day and yesterday afternoon has been oppressively hot Thermometer as high as ninety 20th Attended the Dane Club in the forenoon spent the afternoon at Parker's room time lost never to be reclaimed, time is invaluable to all, and yet how few there are that do not lose many of its precious moments, and that often times when they make to themselves the most positive promise not to let improper diversions rob them of their time. 21st Sunday. Went into Boston in the morning, to the seaman's church, coming out saw the building that stands upon the site, that the house did in which Benjamen Franklin was born, saw also fort hill one of the hills of the (trinue) city, came by also the medical college and hospital, they are very pleasantly situated, and the grounds tastefully ornamented with trees and shrubbery. came home and wrote some upon the subject of endless punishment. etc. Pg. 35 22nd Attended the lecture in the morning, had some fun in taking a glass of soda with Davis; attended Wymans lecture in the afternoon, which he illustrated by dissecting a human arm, and showing us the different muscles, cords, and tendons which give to it its operations. read some in the memoirs of lord Chesterfield etc 23rd Attended the lectures, moot-court etc 24th Attended Greenleafs and Wymans lectures, and spent the rest of the day in the library, It is very cold & has been so all the week, I believe we have not seen the sun yet this week, it has rained a little every day. 25th Attended the lectures , and moot court Wilson of Kentucky displayed much talent, went into Boston in the evening, to a meeting in Fanueil Hall, Mike Walsh was expected to speak in favor of reform among the police, but he did not appear, he was said to be drunk, the meeting was nothing more than a mere row, and every drunkard or loafer that could reach the stand, spoke if he chose, until he was hissed off 26th Attended Greenleaf's and Wymans lecture (see com p,b.) spent the rest of the day in the library looking at reports etc and in my room reading Globe etc. Heard to-night that Lewis Cass is nominated as a candidate for the presidency Pg. 36 27th Attended the Dane Club in the forenoon, spent the rest of the day in my room reading, writing etc 28th Sunday. Went to church once and heard a sermon from Deut 29, et 29, by Dr Noyes, spent the rest of the day in writing a long letter to father, and in reading same, and walking some for exercise 29th Attended Greenleafs and Wymans lectures, and the Harvard Club, argued a case in it etc. Went into Boston in the evening and hear Dr Dewy on peace, he delivered an able address, coming home came across Greene (a law student) drunk and quarreling with some women 30th Attended the lectures, and moot court in the afternoon, had an interesting case. 31st Attended the usual lectures, and went into Boston in the evening to an abolition meeting, heard Phillips, Parker and a negro. A crazy man came into the hall before it commenced, and walked backwards and forwards across the hall with more majesty and dignity than any man I ever saw his name is Elijah Their, his head is turned by Millerism, he has been I am told from Massachusetts to Jerusalem, and has just returned, he went there, to be there at the ascension, He made his way by begging, and working his passage, and undoubtedly suffered incalculable hardships, but he has lived through it, he now thinks himself Jesus Christ. Pg. 37 June 1st Quite a cold day, attended the lectures, and a moot court, and went into Boston in the evening, to an abolition meeting. this closed up their anniversary meetings for this year, their plan now of dissolving the Union I think is most despicable, but I do not believe that they will raise as much of an excitement as they are in hopes of doing. there was some disturbance in the meeting arising from disatisfaction with the speakers, and with their sentiments. 2nd Attended the lectures, and went into Boston in the evening to hear Gough, Bungay from Canada, and King from Ireland speak upon temperance in Faneuil Hall. all good speakers, King said that Louis Phillipe had in his cellar when he left his kingdom so suddenly 275,000 bottles of 250 kinds of wine. Gough said that his present lecture was the hundredth and seventieth third time he had addressed the citizens of Boston on temperance. 3rd Attended the Dane Club in the morning and spoke, went a fishing an hour or two with Hubbard, in the afternoon, did not catch anything, then made out the minutes of the club, which duty as secraty of the sosiety I am required to do. Spent the rest of the day in reading the news, and in making preparations for the sabbath. Warm weather seems now to have commenced in earnest. Pg. 38 4th Sunday. Went into Boston in the morning and heard King an Irishman from Dublin, his sermon was excellent, it was upon the unity of the church, his object is to raise funds to endeavour to reform Ireland in a religious point of view. Came home and attended service at the chapel in the afternoon, and read several pages of law, in the book of Exodus, the great fountain head from which all law is derived 5th No lectures, on account of what is called here an election, the governor of the state, takes his seat and gives out commissions to his officers, and a company of arttilery, called " the ancient and honourable parade, and elect their officers. Read law in the forenoon, on the subject of remainders. in the afternoon attended the Harvard Club and read in the library. 6th Attended the lectures, and moot-courts, The whig convention met to-day I suppose at Philadelphia, for the nomination of a President It is cold again, we have not had as yet but about four days of warm weather, two of those were very warm 7th Attended the lectures, and also a moot-court, Parker finished Abott on shipping to-day. (see c.p.b.) 8th Attended Greenleafs lecture, and spent the rest of the day in the library, heard of the nomination of Taylor for the presidency Pg. 39 9th Attended the lectures, and a moot-court, Elder made a good arguement. The weather to-night looks a little like clearing up, it has been cold and wet all the week, sun not to be seen. 10th Attended the Dane Club in the forenoon and made a short speech, in the afternoon. went on the river Charles in a boat, with Parker, and had a pleasant ride, then played three games of chess with him, read a little etc 11th Sunday. Heard two excellent sermons by Dr Walker, one upon gaining the good opinion of good men, which he held to be the same, as to endeavour to please God, for God would be pleased by our endeavours to do right. The other upon the manner of gaining strength from God. Read in Thompson Leasons, his (surviver), and some in the new testament, in the book of John 12th Attended Greenleaf's lecture in the morning, he announced that he had resigned, on account of his health, the law school met after lecture and appointed a committee to consider, and devise some mode of showing our respect to his worth. Attended Wymans lecture in the afternoon (se c,p.b,) and the Harvard Club, and argued a case. Went into Boston in the evening to a democratic meeting, for the purpose of ratifying the nomination of Cass, heard Hallet, Green etc. Pg.40 13th Attended Greenleaf's lecture, and spent the rest of the day reading etc 14th Attended Greenleaf's lecture; a vote was passed after lecture to have his portrait taken at the expense of the students, attended Wymans lecture, and spent the rest of the day looking up cases, reading etc 15th Attended the lectures etc Greenleaf held his last court in the afternoon he gave us some very good instructions upon our duties as lawyers. 16th Greenleaf gave his last lecture to-day, he made some remarks at the close, he said he had been in the law school fifteen years, he had endeavoured to impress upon his pupils a lasting sense of the majesty of the law, and of the duties of its administration, he said Providence seemed to call him here, and also seemed to call him away and he constantly looked to an overuling providence in all things, he said farewell was a hard word to say and he would not say it, but we had his best wishes, and he hoped that the blessings of God would attend us always--Went into Boston in the evening to a whig ratification meeting, old Faneuil Hall was densely crowded and many could not get in, Choate addressed the meeting, Major Gaines also from Kentucky, there was much enthusiasm, it is not difficult in Boston to raise a whig meeting. Pg. 41 June 17th 1848 The anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill. I attended the Dane Club in the forenoon, and spoke upon the question. In the afternoon went over to Charlestown, on to Bunker Hill. The scene presented to-day is quite different from the one presented 73 years ago. The hill was then covered with people, the sound of cannon was heard, ships lay at anchor in the bay, flags were seen waving in the breeze, soldiers marching to and fro, and the sound of martial music greeted the ear. The same things are seen and heard to-day; but people are congregated there for a different purpose, the assembly then was composed of the missions of tyranny, on the one side and the devotees of liberty on the other, met to engage with each other in the death struggle, the one for hire, the other for, themselves, their country, and their posterity. to-day it is the meeting of friends, a universal jubilee the sound of cannon then was but the angry thunder of tyranny, to-day it is the celebration of a nations glory; the ships that then lay in the harbour were so many instruments to crush the opening bud of liberty, to-day the harbor bears upon its peaceful bosom the commerce of the world; flags then were used as rallying point, to advance to the combat, to-day they serve to awaken within us national pride Pg.42 and love of country, all things are changed, the glorious results of that never to be forgotten day is seen all around you as far as the eye can reach and to crown all the spire of liberty in its simple majesty and its grandeur points to Heaven as if to indicate that our destiny must still be upward and onward 18th Sunday. Heard two sermons from Walker very good ones, one showing what was false honour, the other that a christian man was the result of growth, but the unfolding of the bud of virtue in man. This is a very hot day, up to this time there has been but very little good weather, for the most part it has been cold weather, for the most part it has been cold cloudy, foggy weather, with many sudden changes, I think that the New England climate particularly in this region is as unhealthy as any portion of the United States, the consumption here is worse than the fevers South and West, I am of the opinion that I should have it in a very few years were I to stay in this section 19th Attended Parker's and Wymans lectures, and spent the rest of the day reading etc 20th Attended Parker's lecture, and spent the rest of the day in reading, Debates in the Virginia Convention (,on the Consititution by Robertson) Pg. 43 21st Attended the lecture, and read law, also played three games of chess with Pearson 22nd Attended the lectures, and read, constitutional law. In the afternoon some of the chaps met in the club room, for the purpose of getting Smith of Ohio to make speeches, and to have fun at his expense some of the most forward ones, were bigger fools than he, only not quite so green, thus the word goes "One fool lolls his tongue out, at another. And shakes his empty noddle at his brother." 23rd Attended Parker's and Wymans lectures, and moot-court heard of the nomination of M, Vanburen by the barn-burners of N.Y. for the presidency, bought a summer hat 24th Wrote a letter to Parker, went into Boston in the afternoon with Hubbard, went up to the top of the statehouse and there had a fine view of Boston and vicinity, the bay etc came back by the way of Charleston and went into the prison, and went round and saw the prisoners at work etc 25th Sunday, Heard two excellent sermons from Dr Walker, one upon prayer, he said prayer should be a natural overflow of devotional feeling, the other upon honor, he maintained that a man should not be satisified with being as good as other men but should do right let the world do what it may and put ourselves above reproach, and suspicion Pg. 44 26th Attended the lectures, and spent a part of the afternoon at Thompsons room, read etc 27th Attended the lecture, and moot court. read M Vanburen's letter etc 28th Attended the lectures, read some walked some, talked some, with Hubbard. in my room after supper 29th Attended the lecture read Kent, Story on the Con, debates on the adoption of the constitution, wrote a letter to Shoecraft etc 30th Attended the lectures, and moot-court, and went into Boston in the evening to hear Giddings of Ohio on the Wilmot Proviso, he spoke nearly two hours he is quite an earnest speaker, but not a very interesting one, so far as manner and elocution is concerned, he speaks good sense though. and has a ready tact to take up anything that occurs, and turn it to good account, his voice seems to be to weak to express the feeling of his soul, his appearance that of a rough old farmer July 1st Attended the Dane club and made a speech wrote some July 2nd Sunday, Heard two sermons from Dr Walker went with Smith a junior in college, into the room of collections, of the Natural History society, saw many curiosities there new strange and curious, among them an ostrich egg I should think it was as big as my two fists, also some whales teeth etc etc etc etc Pg. 45 3rd Attended the lecture, and a jury trial in the afternoon Valentine Crier, and McGowek Marshall, Force clerk 4th A beautiful morning, which is the more welcome inasmuch as we have had an ocean fog, and cold damp weather for nearly a week past, they are making a great noise this morning, with powder, ringing of bells etc Went over to Boston after breakfast, saw first the floral procession as it is called, it is made up of the sunday-school scholars, their heads decked with flowers, their waists also encircled with a wreath, all dressed out in holiday attire, and formed into a procession, march through several streets, and then stop at the public garden, and sell their flowers etc it was quite a beautiful and imposing spectacle. The "beauty and the chivalry" of Boston is out to-day. the sporting children. the "blushing damsel", the sedate matron- the old man leaning upon his staff, all are enjoying a nations jubilee, not only in Boston, but throughout this whole Union--the whole nation have this day patrioticly, enthusiastically, and simultaneously laid aside their daily avocations to celebrate the birthday of freedom, to recall to their minds, and to the minds of their children the blessings we enjoy and how those blessings were secured to us, May this day continue to be thus celebrated for thousands of years to come, and as it now does, serve the same purpose in the political world, as the Sabbath does Pg. 46 in the moral. Many laughable and instructive things may be seen in Boston to-day, you see yankee ingenuity exhausting itself in contriving ways and means to get money from the uninitiated crowd. In the evening there was $2000, worth of fireworks burned, there was probably fifty thousand spectators on the common, 5th Attended the lecture, and read debates on the adoption of the constitution. 6th Our last lecture was given to-day for this term 7th We have had a jury trial to-day, which closes the term. I have not accomplished so much as I intended this term, but I think I have made some progress in the law, in the knowledge of the world, and of human nature. I can now only be thankful for what advancement I have been enabled to make, regret that I have not employed my time better, and by the light of past experience endeavour to do better for the future. 8th Went to Concord and Lexington to-day with Elder we went by the turnpike direct from this place to Concord, we passed many pleasant situations one place where the house stood back some thirty rods from the road, and on the flat between the road and the house, was a husbandman leaning upon his spade, and an urn , made of wood both of them I should think painted white. The houses Pg. 47 though as a general thing far apart, and the land very poor, stony etc, we had a fine view of Boston and the surrounding country on an eminense some five miles on our journey. We visited the monument at Concord, saw the battle field, where the first Britton fell, etc. We then went to Lexington a distance of six miles, and saw the monument there we saw one ball hole that was shot at the battle there was eight men killed there, Ensign, Monroe, Jonas Parker, Samuel Hadley. Jonathan Harrington, Isaac Murry. Caleb Harrington, and John Brown of Lexington, and Asahel Porter of Woburn. This is a quotation taken from the inscription on the monument, This monument was erected in 1799, the battle was fought Apr 19, 1775, we came from Lexington in the cars, having walked all the rest of the way, a distance of about twenty miles. Visiting these first battle fields of the revolution strengthens our love of country and renews our detrmination to preserve our liberties for us so nobly gained, and hand down to our posterity the same rich legacy that has been bequeathed to us. 9th Sunday Heard Dr Walker twice, in the afternoon he gave his parting discourse to the seniors, it was full of valuable advice, and sound morality. Smith came to my room after dinner and I assisted him to write a letter, in which we put much eloquence and a fine "descriptis Personarium" Pg. 48 10th Wrote a letter home, and went into Boston and attended court a while, and went to the top of the custom house, had there a fine view of the harbor. Coming out I saw the burdocks completely covered with catapillars, and grasshoppers, some of the burdocks they had completely stripped of their leaves, there was dozens of both kinds of these creatures on a single leaf, I never saw the like of it before 11th Went to Plymoth [Plymouth] with Elder, a distance of thirty miles, Was well paid for my visit, They have many curiosities, and relics of the pilgrims collected in Pilgrim Hall, King Phillip's original letter to Governer Price, the gun barrel with which he was killed, some of the bibles belonging to the Pilgrims and some of the furnature etc etc brought over in the Mayflower. I also saw the old charter of the colony, the Plymoth rock, etc As I stood upon the rock, I thought what must have been the feeling of the Pilgrims, when they first put foot upon it, a wilderness before them, full of savage beasts and savage men, in the depth of winter (20 Dec 1620) etc etc etc 12th Drew books from the library, read in my room etc received a letter from home, and one from Parker had a great fire in Boston towards night 13th Attended the doings of the seniors, an oration etc a poem, they also had a dance on the green etc Pg. 49 14th Attended the exhibition of the Divinity-School, and a sermon to the Alumni in the a sermon to the Alumni in the afternoon, and read some, also received a letter from I. W. Nott, and the first number of my paper, "The Young Guard" 15th Read some in the morning, and then went into Boston, went into court a while, then went to the top of the state-house, and there had a very fine view of the city and surrounding country. In the Munincipal court they had about thirty prisoners up for sentence, some very small boys, some pretty girls, some negroes, and some men most of them would make honest citizens in the country I think, multitudes of famishing miserable creatures are dragging out their existence in cities simply because they do not know what an easy living they might obtain in the country. 16th Attended the orthodox church in the forenoon, read some in the Bible, and some in the history of the Pilgrims, also walked up to Mt Auburn, 17th Remained at my room reading with the exception of fishing some 18th Read in the forenoon, went and picked some huckleburies after dinner with Smith, also fished some etc 19th Went into the Charles, bathing in the morning. read in my room some, and in the afternoon went up to fresh-pond, and walked Pg. 50 a while in the beautiful grove on its banks It was full of people to-day, as was also the pond covered with boats, filled with pleasure parties etc. This is a favorite and fashionable resort for visitors in warm weather- We passed the house in which Washington had his headquarters, while in Cambridge, it was at that time an elegant house, and is still in a good state of repair, the chamber where he lodged is now kept vacant, and the same furniture which was in it at that time is still in it. The house belonged to a tory and it was confiscated to the U. States 20th Went into the Charles in the morning, bathing also fished some, remained in my room the rest of the day until after supper, then went to see the Massachusetts volunteers just returned from Mexico. They are now in camp about a mile from here. I heard terrible stories in the course of the day. that they were starving to death, three had died from starvation in the course of the day, folks said we ought to sympathize with them for humanity's sake, but not because they had been butchering Mexicans (or in other words they deserved no credit for volunteering to fight the battles of our common country, for they knew, or ought to have known that the war was unjust, and it was their duty to fight against government instead of for it. Pg. 51 God be praised that such opinions do not generally prevail) I found them in some tents and old sheds, and many of them very dirty, and looking bad as it was said they did. they had no change of clothing etc, and there had one died, instead of three, of a disentary, and as to starving I found they had to wait until nine O clock for breakfast and I found that government was not to blame for their appearance or their condition, for they had been allowed their clothes money, ($3,50 a month) and had spent it. and yet the Massachusetts folks, have found materials, for moralizing a fortnight upon the evils of an unjust war, and curses enough to sink Polk in endless perdition, were it in their power to do so. For my part I did not see any new arguement that the war was unjust, I saw it is true some dirty looking profligate men (not all so by any means) but these may be seen anywhere, a few were sick also these are evils attendant upon war it is true, but I believe that the time has not as yet come when war shall be known no more, and notwithstanding all these sights when I glared upon the stars and stripes that waved so proudly over their heads and reflected how our army had so nobly borne that flag amid the carnage of battle, and added lustre to every star, I felt that they should have a more cordial reception. It is estimated that three thousand persons have been to see them to-day. Pg. 52 21st Went in a bathing in the morning then read and wrote until noon. then took a stroll with Smith around Mount Auburn, it is a delightful place I am more and more interested every time I visit it. It seems like an earthly Paradise, so much brightness, so much beauty, so much grandeur, so much taste, so much elegance, and so much art meets the eye--so sweet and lively is the signing of birds, in the trees, that with their rich foliage cast a soft shade o'er the tomb, that the leaving the remains of a friend there, cannot seem like leaving his dust for the worm to fatten upon but rather laying him gently to rest in an Elysian field. Every thing has been done to remove from this hallowed spot the gloom of the tomb and to render it both agreeable and instructive for the living to spend a passing hour in its shady groves, and upon its sunny hill sides. It is visited and admired by travellers from all parts of the United States, I may add of the world, It is also a favorite resort of the thoughtful and meditative in the immediate vicinity. Here the contemplative mind may muse upon the beauties, and sublimities of nature. and the charm of art, until it is raised from earth in estatic delights, and superhuman joys. Pg. 53 22nd Went to Charlestown, early in the morning, visited on the way a very fine garden, saw many beautiful and flowers, and rare plants, saw in a hot-house lemons and oranges hanging on the trees, the lemons were large and all seemed nearly ripe, the oranges were some of them ripe. and some green, the roof of the house was covered (on the inside) with grapes which hung in beautiful clusters; they are worth a dollar a pound. We saw at Charlestown the monument and the shipyard, saw two seventy fours, some war frigates, and the Constitution, that has covered the navy, with so much glory. Went to Boston and saw the volunteers escorted through town by the Boston companies 23rd Attended Mr Abbro's church in the forenoon read the bible some, walked some, and talked some , with Smith 24th Read until one, then went a huckleberrying came at three back to my room, and read a dramatic piece 25th Went a fishing in the morning, came back and read 50 pages of law, after dinner went a huckleberrying, came back in time to read and go up to the college garden, it is now in bloom and looks fine, it contains about ten acres, and contains a vast variety of domestic and foreign plants, shrubs, flowers, etc it has a circular pond Pg. 54 in the middle of it, with some gold, and some silver fish in it. Came back by the Washington Elum, which is the tree under which Washington took command of the continental army, it is a venerable tree, its branches extend to almost the side of the street each side, it is yet vigorous and thriving, it is surrounded with a railing of iron and preserved with great care. I had the good luck to fall in with an old man who saw the transaction, he said he was twelve years old at the time, but remembered it perfectly well he showed with much satisfaction where Washington stood, and where the army was, he said the army was drawn up on parade, and were attending prayers, and during prayers, there appeared a bright star towards Brighton, (nearly West) and this being a very strange occurence, it being about two O clock in the afternoon, the attention of the army was drawn from prayers, and directed to the star, and while they were looking at the star they discovered Washington under this tree which stands a little to the right of the direction of the star, from the position where the army stood. He also said he saw the battle of bunker hill, and gave me a discription of it, he was so fond of telling over these scenes, that much as I liked to hear them, I could scarcely get away from him. Pg. 55 26th Read some and went over to Brookline, it is a very pleasant place, the buildings are tastefully built and the adjacent grounds ornamented at great labor and expense 27th Spent the day in reading, conversation, walking etc. I saw the House in which Burgoyne was kept a prisoner in the revolution. 28th Read law, and went a huckleberrying 29th Went into Boston early in the morning with Smith, saw some white mice, and also a dwarf who was a very singular looking personage. Went into the municipal court, and heard the trial of an Irish woman, she plead her own case and done it with so much Irish spirit & Irish brogue that I and some others laughed so that we were spoken to by the sheriff. It is all important for a young lawyer to attract attention in court, at the commencement of his practice, I have succeeded in doing it thus early 30th Sunday. Went to church in the forenoon spent most of the afternoon in conversation & reading with Elder & Smith 31st A wet cold disagreeable day, read law, and history, and rhetorick, Cousin Gershem called to see me in the afternoon August 1st Went into Boston to see Gershem & his wife at the Marlborho house. went with him Pg. 56 to South Boston to a foundery, saw them casting boreing, and polishing cannon, the overseer said that it took five tons of metal to cast a cannon but when it was finished it only weighed about three tons. Went also to see the Greek Slave. It is a highly finished work of art, seeming perfect in all its parts, or rather an ideal perfection, of what a woman should be, chiseled out of pure white marble. The foot, the leg, the hand also the nails, the neck the hair, the body all executed with the most exquisite symmetry, and the chain that binds the hands, and the clasps around the wrists all cut out so perfectly, and the pedestal upon which she leans, all carved out of the same block of marble, and all done so tastefully, so perfectly, and so symmetrically, that it may well be called one of the highest works of art, and deserves the high celebrity it has acquired. It will, it ought to give the artist an enduring fame, and give to him the name of the American Phidias. Remained at dinner with Gershem, and saw something of the manner of doing things at the fashionable Boston hotels, had some excellent peaches etc Came home and read one of J Q, Adams lectures on rhetorick, and oratory, and heard Smith read another Pg. 57 2nd Went into Boston early, in order to take the cars for Lynn, was too late for the first train, and so walked about and saw the shipping, saw a drowned man by the name of Oaks, who jumped off the ferry-boat, he was a lawyer and rich, said to be worth one hundred thousand, This is the third instance of suicide by rich men recently one man at Nahant worth his hundreds of thousands, was so grieved at the loss of a horse that he drowned himself, and a young man worth nine hundred thousand dollars, cut his throat because his money could not buy him enjoyment enough. Took the cars at East Boston. Saw an English steamer, there, had an agreeable ride to Lynn, when I arrived there, I went to the top of a high rock, from which the whole village & the surrounding country could be seen, The sight was surprisingly beautiful, particularly upon the ocean, it was so calm the village of Lynn contains about 14,000 inhabitants, and the principal employment is making womens shoes, I was told that a single workman makes fourteen pair a day, at 10 or 12 cts a pair, and that they could not only make them cheaper, than the English can send them here even if there was no protection, but they could and had gone to England, and made shoes there Pg. 58 cheaper than the English can do it, the reason given why they could do this was, that they know better how to cut stock, and can work faster, which I think in order to make the story look reasonable should be taken that the Yankees do not scruple so much about putting in poor stock, and can slight their work more without any compunctions of convenience. We walked from Lynn to the city of Salem, the world renowned witch city, saw gallows hill where the witches were hung etc. Salem is quite a business place, came back to Lynn and staid all night 3rd Walked to Nahant early, a distance of five miles upon the shore, picked up shells, and enjoyed the scenery as we passed, went in bathing in the ocean. The farthest point of Nahent projecting into the ocean, terminates in a high ledge of rocks, thrown together in all the grandeur and sublimity of nature's noblest architecture added to this the mad surging of the ocean waves beating against its base, and the boundless ocean itself before you, it seemed to me I had never seen a sight more suprisingly sublime, not excepting even the great Niagra, Nahant is the summer resort of the Bostonians it is to Boston what Hoboken is to New York, Pg. 59 and is now thronged with visitors, I came back by steamboat, and had a fine view of Boston and the coast from the sea, also the islands in the harbour, the shipping, and the monument. Had upon the whole a very pleasing and instructive trip; although we did not find an opportunity to take a trip on the ocean, a fishing, which was the original principal object of the excursion. 4th Went a fishing, and got a fish on my hook so big that his weight broke my hook, which I suppose was left sticking in his mouth, the weight of the fish was probably less than one hundred lbs. Read law some, and went a huckleberrying. 5th Went into Boston, and attended court some and read some in my room 6th Sunday. Went into Boston to hear father Taylor (he is a preacher that is noted for having done much for the sailor, he preaches to them every sabbath, and is noted for his zeal for their improvement) Back of the pulpit is a very impressive drawing, representing a vessel in immanent danger of being dashed against rocks. upon a shore fronted by an insurmountable precipice. The vessel is headed from shore, and all sail up but she is rolling in the breakers, and the mad waves rolling over her bow, lashing the shore Pg. 60 with such fury, as to make one white sheet of foam all around. and high up the impending cliff. the power of man seems of no avail, even the sheet anchor can give us no hope, but there is a sheet anchor seen in the Heavens above, and an Angel emerging from a bright cloud, thus symbolically, and impressively showing the sailor that he must secure his sheet anchor in Heaven. The old man went through the service with great fervency, and zeal, his text was, from the 119 Ps, 75 verse, came home and read the book of Job (42 chaps) 7th Went into Boston, and attended the different courts a while, saw Choate managing a case also obtained some tickets for admission into the mills at Lowell. Came back, visited at Mr Hays. Had a present of bouquet, also read some in my room. 8th Commenced Story on agency. read one hundred pages. In the afternoon went to see Mr Cushions garden (a very celebrated garden belonging to a rich man, living in Watertown some two or three miles from this place) it contains a very great variety both of domestic, and exotic plants, and is laid out and cultivated with much taste, I saw peach, and pear trees, perfectly flat clinging to the fence like a Pg. 61 vine, and having on them some fine fruit. Also visited the village of Watertown, had a pretty long walk before I got back, but a pleasant and instructive one. 9th Read law quite steadily; bathed once in the Charles. 10th Went into Boston, saw them draining the pond on the common, went into court a while etc. Bought several books at auction 11th Read law in the forenoon, and in the afternoon went up to Mt Auburn with Smith. There are a great many vistors there now. It is now very warm weather, and I take great pleasure in bathing in the Charles, I can swim so easily in salt water. 12th Read and wrote and talked with Mr. Anderson, from whom I obtained much information, on various subjects. 13th Sunday. Went to the Baptist church, and read some also 14th Read some, and wrote a letter home 15th Went to Lowel, "the city of spindles" Saw the machinery, the girls etc (there are many thousand of them there) The carpet power looms, are a great curiosity to a stranger, there was some two hundred of them in one room, all tended by girls, all weaving is done by machinery, the shuttle is thrown through by Pg. 62 machinery & all the girls have to do is to put the yarn in the shuttles; I saw eleven shuttles in one loom, it was so fixed that the one with such a kind of yarn, would be shout through just when it was wanted, and so with all the rest. All the mills are upon canals taken from the Merimack river I went up to the river. the dam and the canals are expensive works. the manufacturers, are getting very rich I should think by the appearances of the wealth displayed there, I do not think that they will need much more duties on foreign goods in order to make a living. They are building more factories constantly. 16th Wrote two letters, and read some. 17th Went into Boston, to a book auction, made some purchases. Saw an Indian, without feet, he nevertheless carried an organ, upon which he played, with one hand, and took change with the other. 18th Remained in my room, and read, it has been a rainy day 19th Read law, and newspapers. The prospects of Cass look more encouraging 20th Sunday. Went to the Universalist church at Cambridge-port. The sermon was upon the evidences that Christ rose from the dead, and this being true, the truth of Christianity is proved etc 21st Read in Stephen on pleading, and in Hallam's middle ages etc etc Saw Worcester the lexicographer. He has quite an intellectual looking head. Saw the busts of Story & Quincy, in the library, made of marble 22nd Read in the forenoon, and went into Boston in the afternoon, Bought me an overcoat, & vest. Went through the market, which is very extensive, and worth seeing, also walked along the wharves, and saw the vast amount of shipping lying in the harbor. also walked along Ann Street, and saw some of the inhabitants of that section of the city. Remained in the evening to a ratification-meeting, of the nomination of Martin Vanburen, Old Faneuil was crammed, and the enthusiasm considerable. Faneuil Hall, was given to the city of Boston by a man of the name of Faneuil, sometime previous to the revolution. It was the rostrum for the revolutionary patriots, and has echoed to the voice of all the great men of Massachusetts and is called the "cradle of liberty, behind the rostrum for the speaker, is the portrait of the donor, and Washington, full length, and several half length, The Adamses, Hancock, Warren, Knox, & others. The hall will hold about three thousand persons, it has no seats except in the galleries, it has been once repaired, and enlarged. Pg. 64 23rd This is commencement day, the governer and dignitaries of Boston were escorted out here, by a band, and the lancers, (the governer is noted as the man who never wears a dickey) his name is Briggs, The church was very full of course, a great number of ladies were present, all looking very pretty etc, the speaking was pretty good, all the speakers wore black gowns, and caps like the presidents, they did not of course have the caps on while speaking. The President confered the various degrees with considerable dignity, he sat in the very chair used at the first commencement of the college, and used every year since. it is quite an ancient looking piece of furniture, made of round posts the whole of it 24th The prize declamations came off to-day. and also the phibetakappa oration & poem, The oration was very fine indeed; delivered by Dr. Bushnell of Hartford, his subject, work, & play. The poem was good, by Sargant. 25th Walked the most part of the day, with Mitchel visited Mt Auburn with him in the afternoon saw many nice beauties there, among them, an iron fence, surrounding the lot, consisting of clusters of grapes, cast with much exactness, and beauty, also N.P. Willis's lot, (the poet) in which his wife is buried, its fence is of evergreens, and the gate Pg. 65 of cedar boughs, all rural in its appearance. Our term commenced to-day 26th Went through the building, for the scientific school, which is now early completed: it is a fine building (Abbott Lawrence has given one hundred thousand dollars for its erection) Went to see the United States arsenal, also, in Brighton: there are quite a variety of instruments there to destroy life with. 27th Sunday, Went to Charlestown, to hear King, a Universalist. (He is only about 22 years old, and has obtained his education himself, but is already one of the most eloquent preachers, in this section)He has just returned from the (Aroses), where he has been for his health. He gave us an eloquent speech on the ocean 28th The law-school met today, and were addressed by the professors. Parsons, our new professor appeared well. Things look encouraging, for the term. 29th Parsons first lectures were given to-day, they were interesting, & instructive. 30th Attended the first lectures, by Parker this term to-day. Read some in Blackstone, find it very interesting. Bathed in the Charles, walked with Mitchell etc. There is quite a number of new students, some of them appear rather awkward but it is impossible to tell in the quarey which block of marble, will be wrought into a Venus. Pg. 66 31st A day spent in my accustomed avocations Sept 1st Mr Dexter met us for the first time. his appearance is good, and I think we shall not fail of deriving much benefit from his instructions. Examined my case some, for moot-court, and attended the first meeting of the Dane Club. There is a Vanburen meeting this evening, but I am writing this instead of being there, and consider myself quite as beneficially employed 2nd Went into Boston, in the afternoon, to see Dr Merill, go up with a balloon. The balloon held sixty five thousand gallons of gas. It ascended very regularly indeed, and kept soaring away, first penetrating the clouds, that in detached clusters were lowering above us, and lost from our view within them, then gliding onward, and upward, until the man became no larger than a sea-birds wing, then a mere speck, then totally invisible, but still we could see the balloon, still mounting higher and higher, as if in a vain attempt to reach the stars, until itself seemed no larger than a turtles egg, and finally the eye is no longer able to follow the track of a human being sporting among the clouds Pg. 67 3rd Sunday, Attended church, at the Orthodox several members were received into the church. Walked some with Mitchel & Hubbard. Heard that the balloon man came down at Marshfield, on the farm of Daniel Webster some fifteen or twenty miles from where he started. 4th Attended the lectures, and in the evening went into Boston to a Democratic meeting. Heard General Cushing, He was severely hissed at first, but the disturbing ones were thrust out of the hall, and we had a good speech, but I have no confidence in the man. 5th Had some fine lectures from Parsons. heard & read an account of the balloon man he was up about an hour, and went some thirty miles, he went over the bay at first and landed near Tuxbury. 6th After the labors of the day were closed, went into Boston to hear John Vanburen, he spoke in old Faneuil (which was densely crowded). he is quite comical and speaks well. He looks like a full blooded Dutchman The enthusiasm, was pretty well up in the crowd: it was laughable to hear so large an audience get up groans, it resembled the roaring of a lion. Pg 68 7th I have had a case in moot-court today and my client gained his cause. 8th Attended Mr Dexter's lectures, and the Dane Club in the evening, and made a speech 9th Did not study much, went to a free soil meeting in the evening 10th Sunday. Went to church, and read some walked some, and tried to sing some. My throat has felt badly for a week or so and I fear I have symptoms of the bronchitis 11th Had some interesting lectures from Parker, met with the Harvard club, etc. Maine has an election today. 12th Attended the lectures which were very good, Parsons, got quite eloquent on the subject of our government in comparison with England. Went to a Taylor meeting in the evening, and heard Duncan from Louisiana, Set up until twelve O clock to see a total eclipse of the moon 13th After the forenoon exercises, went into Boston to see another balloon ascension. A man and woman attempted to go up but they soon came to the ground, the woman got out, and some of the ballast was taken out, then the man went above very well he ascended almost perpendicularly to a great Pg 69 height, and then floated off to the South a direction directly contrary to the direction of the wind on the ground. 14th Missed the lectures, to go to see the Vermont launched (man of war, seventy four guns) she went into the water beautifully. There was an immense concourse of people to witness it the rigging of the other men of war was filled with the sailors, all dressed alike, white pantaloons blue roundabouts, and tarpolitan hats 15th Dexter's lecture was upon the history of the English constitution (or rather English liberty, for there is no English written constitution) it was good. Attended the Dane club in the evening, and spoke upon both sides of the questions, so I shall be sure to be upon the side that gains the question. 16th Went into Boston after dinner, saw a pile machine in operation, on the Charles river. Got my daugerotype taken, it is a good picture, very natural. Bought some books 17th Went to church once, Conversed a while with Mitchell in his room, also walked with him coppied part of a letter. written by Mr Legare (Attorney general under Tyler, now dead) containing advice to the would be lawyer and statesman See com p be page 15-17-18 Pg70 18th Went through the usual exercises, and was judge in the evening, in the Harvard Club, and decided the case for the defendant. 19th Moot court before Parker, he gave a good decision it was upon the question, whether fraud is a bar to the statute of limitations. he is of the opinion that concealed fraud is a bar 20th Spent the day in the library, and in my room 21st Lectures & moot court, also spent some time in looking up a case for our club. Walked with Mitchell & Hubbard after supper, down through the Port, there has been another balloon ascension to-day in Boston. Came to my room, and read logic for the evening 22nd Dexter's lecture I though savored a little to much of aristocracy. The Dane club adjourned without debate, Many of the members were absent on account of William H. Seward speaking in town We have been obliged to have a fire this day or two, the weather rather, damp, cloudy, wet, and cold. 23rd Have been in my room most of the day, variously occupied, - reading law.- the life of Byron & some of his letters. He seems to have been a very reckless, profligate, man, but a man having much about him to admire, even in his most abandoned moments. Pg71 "Sacred to liberty and the rights of mankind!!! ' The freedom and independence of America-- Sealed and defended with the blood of her sons-- This monument is erected- Under the patronage and at the expense of The commonwealth of Massachusetts.-- To the memory of their fellow citizens -- (see July 8th) Who fell on this field the first victims of the Sword of Brittish tyranny, and oppression.--On the morning of the ever memorable 19 of April Anno Domini, 1775. The die was cast!!! The blood of these martyrs In the cause of God and their country-- Was the cement of the Union of these states, then Colonies- (&) gave a spring to the spirit, firmness And resolution to their fellow citizens--- They rose as one man to revenge their brethren, blood. & at the point of the sword to assert & Defend their native rights They nobly dared to be free !! The contest was long-bloody and affecting Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal-- Victory crowned their arms, and the peace Liberty and independence of the United States of America was their glorious reward. Built in the year 1789 Pg 72 The foregoing is a copy of the inscription upon the monument at Lexington. 24th Sunday. Attended church at the chapel heard a stranger preach. Read some in the Bible & in the miscellaneous books 25th Parker began equity, for one lecture, Attended the Harvard Club in the evening, and argued a case 26th Spent the day reading, talking, walking, hearing lectures, attending moot-court etc 27th A day passed in the study of the law, and miscellaneous reading 28th Lectures, moot-court etc, in the evening mended my pantaloons, and read some in Hallams middle ages. 29th Dexter's lecture was good, it was upon the right of eminent domain, Post-office etc etc Read some in Puffendorf, on the law of Nature, a work that I am highly pleased with so far as I have examined it. Made a speech in the Dane Club in the evening. 30th Finished Hallam's Middle ages, and read some law, and some about mystery. Went into the Charles bathing. It has been as warm as a July day. Set on the pier in the river, sometimes in the evening, with Parker, enjoying the soft air, and conversing upon the sublimities of nature Pg 73 Oct 1st Sunday. Went to church, and heard a good sermon upon the evidence of the Spirit within us. The Dr said that he was as well satisfied that all things were under spiritual direction as he was that a city existed that he had never seen his faith would not permit him to doubt the one more than the other. Read some of the life of Goldsmith-- Some in the Bible etc 2nd Lectures, club, talking, walking and reading 3rd Had a very tedious moot-court, on account of Newton & Wales making such long speeches the[y] had not time to give an opinion 4th Had the accustomed fixings. 5th Our first legislature met, I suppose the first ever met in the law school, Professor Parsons presided, things went off well, and I think it will prove of some benefit to us, unless some very precocious youths (such as are to be found in all schools) undertake to make themselves more conspicuous, than the good sense, or I may say perhaps jealousy of the house will admit of[f]. 6th Dexter's lecture was upon the Jurisdiction of the U.S. courts, (see copy) We also had a second session of the Legislature, Elder proposed a motion to prevent stamping, and it was carried Pg 74 7th Read in Boswell's life of Johnson--an account of his singular marriage, and his ardent affection for his wife--her death, and his great and continued affliction, during the remainder of his days. This is a strong argument, that there is something in love, other than in poetry, and romance else a Johnson, could not have been led to place his affections so unchangeably upon a woman twice his own age, and extremely ugly to everybody but himself, but in his loving eyes surprisingly beautiful. This also proves that the great ones of the earth are subject to the same passions, and weaknesses as other men,--and though giants in intellect, yet when the chords of nature are struck they become as children.- I felt the head of an idiot on the college grounds. I am not Phrenologist enough to describe all the organs of his head. but his head was very narrow in front, but ran up high on the top so that benevolence and, veneration were large, his organ of philopragenictiveness was large, and all the back part of his head was well developed. In the evening went to Watertown, and heard the Hon. Mr. Palfrey and John P. Hale make speeches upon the subject of free soil. I am pleased with both the men. Palfrey is an honest, intelligent, candid, learned man, speaks respectfully of every body and with Pg 75. much force and propriety urges his own views. Hale is a very fine looking man, and a very intellectual looking man, and his speaking corroborates the ideas you receive from his looks; he is undoubtedly a very talented man. His manner of speaking is instructive, and amusing, and his sentiments are very happily expressed. 8th Went to chapel, and read some Sunday 9 Went to the theater in the evening (for the first time since I have been in Massachusetts) Heard Forest, - his form is very fine, and his acting good he played Othello. I[t] was well done and I think I received some benefit, in various ways, but I did not enjoy myself much The audience were composed mostly of the boy-[ls?] and probably the theater has been one of the means, that has made them loafers etc etc they create a taste for some exciting amusement every evening, and then are unable to do without it, I should think that the theaters in Boston are supported mainly by the lowest grades, although the very wealthy attend some, both ladies & gentlemen, although I should think that a modest young lady would be somewhat shocked etc, I am on the whole decidedly of the opinion that theaters, as they are conducted are decidedly immoral in their tendency Pg 76 and would opperate, in case of a student to draw off his attention from his books etc etc etc I therfore conclude that I shall attend them but very little, and when I do, endeavour (as I endeavor in all things) to lay hold of its benefits and reject its injuries. 10th Moot-court, before Parker, He gave a fine decision upon the jurisdiction of the U, States and States (see case) Heard of a manner of making gass from smoke 11th Went into Fanneuil Hall in the evening and heard Hale. He had a very large and respectable audience 12th Moot-court, read Choate's speech made at Salem, and talked with Tompkins in the evening 13th Dexters lecture, parliament, Dane Club etc All went off well, and profitably. 14th Heard of the democratic victory in Ohio, yesterday the whigs had it some six thousand in favor of the whigs, today it is two or three thousand the other way Read in Boswell's life of Johnson and 15th Sunday: A beautiful day. Went to chapel, Walked with Parker, up on Sommerville Hill I had not observed before that the leaves had become a golden colour, and that fall had Pg 77 almost prepared the way,. for its successor To the student (particularly in a city) the seasons pass unheeded, time is measured to him by books and tasks, and tasks, and books Autumn puts not an end to the season of his toil, nor winter afford him rest. 16th No lectures on account of Parsons ill health, and, Parkers absence, read some, and argued a case in the club, but have not accomplished much on the whole on the account of a bad cold which has made me feel quite miserable all day. 17th No lectures on account of the college exhibition, moot-court in the afternoon. Read some, but spent the forenoon very unprofitably. Heard of the death of Jeremy Mason, the papers say that "a man of great stature, great wit, and great legal ability has fallen, He was six and a half feet in height, and was proportioned accordingly, and Daniel Webster says he was the greatest lawyer in New England, he was Websters preceptor. He died in Boston with appoplexy, he was eighty two years old, and his long life has been devoted to useful labor. He was one of the great men that I much desired to see, but it is now too late Pg 78 18th Lectures, heavy rain etc 19th Parker finished agency, Read some of the case in 12 Peters 524, Kendell vs U.S. 20th Dexter's lecture was an attack upon Jackson etc etc some was good only he did not fully express what the old mans ground for vetoing the bank was. Went into Boston in the afternoon with Hubbard Saw the bowl which is now nearly ready for water, went into the merchants exchange, it is a fine building, went into court of common pleas saw a jury made only the instrument for the judge to act by, he charged them, and then told the foreman to sign the verdict. I saw some indications of the approaching election in Boston and on the way. Came back to the Dane Club in the evening, and got considerably engaged in debate upon the question of admitting atheists to testify in a court of justice. 21st Read most of the day in Boswells life of Johnson, which I('m) much interested in. I do not like at all Johnson's strong notions of the Divine right of kings etc, and I testest the servile spirit of Boswell. etc Spent a short time in Mitchells room in the morning, I find it profitable to me, to converse with, for I obtain knowledge, and have my resolutions strengthened for study Pg 79 22nd Sunday. Went to chapel once, and read the rest of the day, some in the Bible, and some in Biography 23rd Lectures, reading etc 24th Lectures, etc in the forenoon. Went into Boston immediately after dinner, to hear Webster who was to speak at 4, after standing in a dense crowd by the door of Faneuil Hall about an hour, we were permitted to go in, and we did so with a rush. Webster arrived and made his way through the crowd to the rostrum, a little before four. Rufus Choate was elected chairman of the meeting, and made a few remarks, all in terms of the highest eulogy of Webster who sat before him, He said that he was made for the universe, but had generously given to America what was due to mankind, and his whole euology, I thought, was a little to exagerated, not to say immodest, even for as great a man as Choate, to say of as great a man as Webster, and that too in his presence. But it did not seem to be half enough for the audience, the citizens of Massachusetts feel proud of Webster, they respect him, they admire him, nay they worship him, he is to them the pole-star, in the political horizen, the all potent thundering Jupiter Pg 80 and all these honours set as deservedly on his brow, as upon any mans in the Western Hemisphere, he is undoubtedly the greatest man in the nation. He spoke above two hours and mainly upon the sub-treasury, and the tariff, he did not say but very little in regard to Taylor, but said that he had made up his mind to go for him, as he thought we should thereby get a whig administration etc, he said to the free soilers that every vote that they cast- for Vanburen was in favor of Cass. He speaks slowly, distinctly, and forcibly, his gesticulations are very fine he stands up very strait so much so as to seem to lean back, he rolls his eye over his audience with much dignity, and he has got a sort of a smile that produces a wonderful effect. All together he has a wonderful, and a mighty control over his hearers, and that not only in Massachusetts, but would have anywhere I think. He is now fast on the decline of life, his hair is iron grey, and his is a little bald, he cannot much longer be the strong pillar of whigery, and if the whigs mean to give him, what he so justly deserves, the highest office in the gift of the people, they Pg 81 must do it, before many more presidential terms shall have returned, else he will be beyond earthly honour, and renown, but be this as it may his name will exist as long as our glorious stars and stripes, shall wave over a land of freedom, as an honour to his country, the property of the nation. The crowd was very oppressive in the hall, the mass of human beings on the floor swayed too, and fro like the waves of the sea, but the ladies in the gallery got into quite an exciting crowd, and showed themselves, to be quite as ferocious as men, one poor man, who they took a notion to crowd out, barely escaped with his life. O Women! thou hast human failings, and worse still, when man teaches thee that thee must always be entitled to the first rank, thou art apt to become tyrannical. 25th This has been a great day to Boston, made so by the admission of water into the city, brought about fifteen miles, from a lake. A procession was formed, probably four miles in length, Made up of the military, and societies, and boddies of men of such number that I shall not attempt to enumerate them, What appeared the most novel to me was a band of Scotchmen in full highland costume Pg 82 and their music, their native bagpipes also the sons of Erin with their banners. A Vessel fully rigged, and two boats, half a dozen young girls on a side, in wagon making artificial flowers. Adam and Eve standing under a tree loaded with fruit, and Eve had an apple in her hand, the skin of an Elephant, and a rich saddle upon it, which was mounted by a negro Queen, and two waiters, also the market men, preceeded by wagon containing all kinds of provision etc It was very tedious waiting for such masses of men to move and it was near dark before the water was let on, but it was then a splendid sight it came through a six inch orifice, and rose to a height of sixty or eighty feet, and was a magnificent sight indeed. There was then some excellent fireworks and in the end proved to be well worth the fatigue experienced in waiting for the show, As we came through all Boston seemed to be in the streets, the tremont, and the Revere were splendidly illuminated, and flags of all kinds waving in the street It is a joyful day to Boston, and well may they rejoice, for pure water is one of the best of Pg 83 Heavens gifts. The stand upon which the Mayor stood was ornamented with evergreens and its sides were covered with texts of scripture concerning water etc etc. Had rather an awkward time of it having the nose bleed in the street etc. 26th Lectures by Parsons. A free soil speech by Charles Sumner in the evening at Cambridge He is a fine speaker, and gave us an eloquent and able address, of nearly three hours in length 27th Dexter's lecture -- commenced the study of pleading-- read some reports etc. 28th Read Pleading and in the life of Eldon. 29th Sunday went to Boston to church, heard Parker, saw where the water works gave way In the evening read the vicar of Wakefield 30th Parker began his lectures on Pleading There is a great torch light, by the whigs this evening in Boston 31st Lectures, and moot court. There is a prize fight in Boston this evening, many of the students have gone, it is by a New York man and a Boston man. I almost wonder that such things are allowed in the Athens of America Nov 1st Lectures, reading, examining cases, exercising etc. Pg84 Nov 2nd Lectures and parliamentary-court Smith answered Chamberlain, and Elder. This day finishes the first half of the term I have not been as well satisfied thus far as I was the two previous terms. 3rd Lecture there was none on account of Dexter's absence. Went to Boston in the evening, and heard Mr Hoffman of N.Y. (whig) he made a fine speech. Also saw Senator John Davis, Webster's colleague, he looked old, and intelligent he made a few remarks. He is a very talented man, but is eclipsed by Webster, so much so that I would (if I were in his place) resign my seat, and let Massachusetts have their fill of Webster, without reflecting indignity upon me. Election times are attended with much excitement here. 4th Did not do much on account of an indisposition. 5th Sunday, Very stormy, went to chapel but found the door locked. 6th Parker employed the two hours in maintaining his own opinion, against some Massachusetts decisions, in reference to what is in issue in a case, and whether the record alone, must be evidence of what has been decided, or parol testimony, would Pg 85 he allowed where the record was not sufficient (he said he thought it could. Went into Boston in the evening to the "old cradle" and heard Winthrop, and Choate, the latter was very witty, and the meeting was very enthusiastic. 7th This has been a great day, for truly the coming up of a mighty nation to the ballot box, to decide how they themselves shall be governed, is a wonderful advancement from the ancient method of government (which was by the ca[r]tridge box) and ought to be considered as a great triumph for liberty, and for man. Our example is already sending its instruction across the water, in thunder tones 8th Lectures, - some excitement about election returns--no election by the people in Mass, 9th Parsons finished Insurance, and the 2nd Vol of Blackstone. More news about election, rather favorable to the whigs 10th Dexter's lecture on treason (A, Burr). Club in the evening, rather silly times. 11th Read Chitty on Pleading, some fifteen pages, From the news to-day there is little doubt but that Taylor is President, and that the whigs will have a finger in political affairs. Pg 86 Nov 12th Went into Boston in the morning, to inform Mr Anderson that his little boy was worse. remained at the church, heard father Taylor, he preached upon the sickness of Hezakiah, & Kings 20 chap, he is very eloquent at times, and seems to have his whole soul enlisted for the sailors salvation. Went to Copps hill and visited the tomb of the famous witch prosecutor, Cotton Mather he was interred in 1727, his brothe[r] Increase Mather in the same vault. Came home & found the boy dead, and the woman mourning aloud. Wrote a letter to my sister in which I wrote the following poetry, the first I ever wrote. The thought of home, how sweet! With gathering friends around All anxious you to greet. Each voice a well known sound. Once more to join the social band With holy love imbued. Once more to clasp a father's hand With filial gratitude. For of a friendship true as steel We never need beware. For tis' a brother's love we feel A sisters tender care. Pg 87 The love of friends it would suffice Were all things naught besides. To verve me onward for the prize Where virtue fair resides. 13th No lectures on account of the state election In the afternoon followed our little Henry to the tomb. The mother is distracted, she has wept aloud constantly, from the time of his death, to the present time. It does indeed seem a severe stroke. I loved the little boy myself with the love of a brother, I have had so many playful frolics with him, and he was so sprightly so manly so beyond his years, that is like plucking a vigorous bud to cut off such a treasure, not only to his mother, but to all, it is no wonder that the deep fountains of grief are stirred up within her breast, for it would move a heart of adamant. But such woes the earth is heir too, and we must bear up against them with Christian fortitude. How mysterious are the ways of the world. A few days only and Henry was the very emblem of life, the pride of his mother and seemingly joyous in his own existence to- day but a lifeless [lamb] of clay, and yet so beautiful, that it seems as if life was still there it does not yet seem that he is dead. I saw a very Pg 88 beautiful devise upon a tomb-stone, the figure of Christ blessing little children, at Mt Auburn. Commenced evidence in the evening by Greenleaf. The whigs have fired a hundred guns I mean a thousand, in honour of old Zack. 14th Parsons commenced Evidence, and the fourth volume of Blackstone, Two cases tried in the afternoon- 15th Nothing unusual, except the fireing of the Whigs, over their victory, they burn fifty tar- barrels this evening. Since I wrote the above Mrs Andersons second & last child has died, she has lost her two beautiful children within four days, and her affliction seems too grievous to be borne, Mysterious; Mysterious; Mysterious are the ways of Providence. 16th Lectures,- mourning at home. The woman has become a little more reconciled to her loss, and is disposed to take it more rationally she has had Marions portrait taken, to-day, Jenkins and old classmate at Union called upon me this evening. 17th Dexter's lecture in the morning, and parliament. In the afternoon went to the funeral, Marion looked very beautiful as pleasant as if in a deep sleep with a smile upon her countenance, she was placed beside her brother, and left to sleep her long sleep Pg 89 side by side with Henry, as she had been accustomed to do in life. It seemed beautiful to leave them together in death as they had been one almost in life, and died almost together. Their mother one week ago had two as beautiful and intelligent children, as ever were the pride of a mother's heart, now she is childless and disconsolate, and feels the weight of grief press heavily upon her soul, hers indeed is a bitter cross, but such woes flesh is heir to. I walked around mount Auburn, and took another view of its beauties The place where Henry & Marion is buried is a very pretty place, the fence is of iron, and is made to represent the Scotch Thistle, and Scottish halbert & various other devices, I went to Storys grave, it is inclosed by a plain iron fence, and pointed out by a simple shaft, with his name upon it. I went also to Jeremy, Masons grave. I saw one very pretty device upon a stone, it was the representation of two Angels bearing away one disembodied spirit each clasping it in its arms. Another striking similie was a butterfly just bursting from a worm and flitting away with joyful ecstacy, intended as a representation of the spirit bursting it's vile tenement and bursting forth in beauty and in glory under the Heavenly rays of God's love. Many are the beauties of Mt, Auburn, & many its blessings to a city like Boston Pg 90 18th Read some and walked some, saw several hundred of turkies go by in a drove. 19th Sunday. Read some of Dante, and went to chapel heard Dr Noise, preach from 4th Mat. 20th Lectures, club in the evening, looked up cases in the library 21st Parsons lectures were good, moot-court in the afternoon, read pleading in the evening 22nd Parker gave one lecture, and Chusion gave his first lecture on Parliamentary law, he appeared well, and gave a good lecture, (see com p. b.) Spent the afternoon in the library, investigating the subject how far the word estate extends, whether if a man gives a quit-claim of all his estate, it conveys his personal & real property by such a deed 23rd Lectures study etc "nothing else" 24th Dexter's lecture upon impairing the obligation of contracts. Parliament at 12 Wilson of Pennsylvania argued that it was right for an employer to turn off his hands if they did not vote as he wished them to do. He and several other young men Elder for example, have a much higher opinion of the Brittish constitution than of our own and are predicting ruin etc etc to our government. Such things should be remembered Pg 91 25th Read Pleading in my room the whole day 26th Sunday. Went into Boston and heard Parker Saw the house in which Maria Bickford was murdered. Went by the fountain, which was in full operation, and the sun happening to be shineing I had the pleasure of seeing a beautiful rainbow Read two cantoes of M.Fingal. Parker's sermon was upon manners, and society, and contains some good ideas 27th Sat as judge in the club. read some in trusts and about three hundred & fifty pages, in "The Adventures of a Lawyer, and the 3rd canto of McFingal 28th Moot-court, and lecture upon estoppel, and criminal law. In the evening at sunset, beheld a most gorgeous landscape, the sky in the west put on a most brilliant red, and the many forms of the clouds beautified and illuminated by reflected light, presented one of nature's richest feasts, which was broken only, by the sable curtain of night let fall between. The comet has just been discovered by our telescope. 29th Second lecture by I, Cushing, thanksgiving eve etc, The weather is fine, warm etc, roads dry for the time of year, we are to have no more exercises this week. Everett has resigned the presidency of this institution. Pg 92 30th Thanksgiving day, attended by feasting, and with some heartfelt thankfulness. It is a great day, throughout New England. Walked with Corbin nearly all the afternoon, went to Sommerville, saw the ruins of the Ursline convent, saw also the ground over which the Americans retreated after the battle of Bunker hill. There has been a great fire this evening, within a few rods of my room. It was a magnificent sight, a large barn and livery stable, went first, when it was completely on fire, it was a picture for a painter, the flames rushed out in sheets, between the seams of the boards, on the sides of the building and burst out both gable ends, with wild fury, and the waves of fire rolled along the roof like the surges of the sea, and all mixing together send their liquid glare, towards the sky, Several other buildings went afterwards, and it is not yet extinguished. I saw a dove fly around the fire a while, and then apparently attempt to fly across it, but was drawn into the flame. Such an occasion brings out the different classes of men, and gives one some knowledge of human nature, more particularly shows you much more intemperance and vice than was known before to exist. It also gives some idea of the power of men in [body's.] Pg 93 There has been an exhibition, at the Lyceum, this evening of Moscow on fire, which is faintly illustrated in the scene just past December 1st Visited the ruins of last evening's work, saw the crisped remains of three horses which were burnt to death, their legs were burnt off, and a considerable share of their bodies consumed. Spent the forenoon in looking up a case 2nd Spent a part of the day in the library 3rd Sunday. Went to Mr Albro's church, saw an infant baptized, it seemed to me that it was very appropriate to consecrate the little innocent to God, and invoke his blessing, upon it 4th Went to East Cambridge, to court, and heard Rufus Choate, and Webster each of them make an argument upon a divorce case, Choate's manner is very fine and flowery, but he is no comparison to Webster in my mind. Webster made a very fine argument, he spoke slowly, distinctly, and forcibly, and would not proceed without the close attention of the court, every word was weighty, he spoke about two hours, and Choate somewhat longer My chum says he saw last week, (thanksgiving day) a pig race, the pigs tail was shaved and greased, and the feat was, who should hold him by his tail, the one who succeeded had the pig, some 200 men, chased. Pg 94 5th Spent the day in the library, moot-court etc, Parson gave notice that the library would be open vacation 6th Cushings lecture, and Parker's, on pleading 7th Spent the day in the library, drawing [deckerations] (the first I ever drew) and looking up cases Parson's lecture on Evidence was good, upon videlicet. etc 8th Dexter's lecture first rate, his best this term & one of the best of any of the lectures this term, (upon bankruptcy, Parker gave two opinions at 12 Had a good debate in the Dane Club in the evening, altogther well satisfied with the days proceedings and employments. 9th Went to Boston, and visited the medical college, heard a lecture by professor, Ware and one by professor Bigelow, went into the dissecting room saw several bodies, some partly dissected, some were being dissected, and some not yet commenced upon. Went to the hospital and saw some operations on living subjects, saw a tumor cut out of a womans forehead just over her eye -- saw a man operated upon by (--) Saw a mans leg cut off below the knee. On the whole have seen more blood, and cutting of human flesh, than I ever saw before in my life. Also went to the anatomical museum, the greatest curiosity I saw Pg 95 there was a woman, having a ram's horn growing right out of the centre of her forehead, it hung down towards her chin, and was a full sized horn in all particulars. I saw Dr Warren at the hospital (the most distinguished medical man in this vicinity. 10th Sunday. Went to chapel. Dr Walker began to preach. In the forenoon he gave a very fine sermon upon the importance of our attending to Spiritual things, "Perfect love casteth out all fear" He said our love was by no means perfect, and hence we could not be free from fear-- that the bible contained no promises only upon condition of repentence and turning to God,-- the wicked found nothing there but threats-- he said that the threats in the old testament were only made by God as the political ruler of the Jew's, and punishment followed because the threat had been made, and would not have followed if the threat had not been made; but the threats in the New Testament were as the moral ruler of the world, and the same punishment would have followed had they not been made, and hence we should consider them as a merciful revelation to us, of that which is of Infinite importance for us to know, and therefore we had as much reason to bless God for his threats as for his promises; they were not given to us to add the terror of punishment to the punishment itself but to give us warning whereby we may escape the punishment itself.. In the afternoon, text "Lovers of Pg 96 pleasure, more than lovers of God, his argument was that those who done nothing but seek pleasure, had the sources of gratification so blunted that they did not obtain as much pleasure as those who only sought it as a cessation from business--that the votaries of pleasure, at length are impelled forward not from a love of pleasure but from a present uneasiness--that the true way was to make business a pleasure. He defined genius to be "a desire in a man's soul that will not let him rest until he has accomplished his object" 11th Had two cases, one in moot-court, and one in the club 12th Read law, and heard one lecture, all we had 13th Good lectures, in the evening went to the Lyceum and heard a lecture by Whipple of Boston (he is a distinguished essay writer) and a poem by Field, which was rather funny, and good, the lecture was a pretty fair production, descanting upon the prevailing tendency at the present time to pay more attention to the body than to the mind. 14th The usual proceedings, in the forenoon, and a moot-court in the afternoon. 15th A good lecture by Dexter, and Parliament, also a moot-court. We have an exhibition Pg 97 of all kinds of talents at our bar, The eloquent the witty, and the foolish, the boisterous, the mild and the ridiculous may all be seen in the different scenes portrayed before us. 16th Spent the day in the library, and at home. The dog has died today, and the woman makes almost as severe a lamentation as she did at the death of her children. 17th Sunday. A fine sunshiny May-day. Went to chapel. Dr Walker preached in the forenoon from the text "Bringing our thoughts into obedience to Christ" He argued that we need not put ourselves into situations calculated to beget bad thoughts. and when we did get them, that we had the power to divert them into another channel. He said Christ was wiser than Socrates, when he said we must not dwell upon bad thoughts. In the afternoon 39 [Psalms] "While I was musing the fire burned" He said that the common remark that we should be influenced by the same high and noble motives that good and great are, if we were placed in like circumstances, was not a sound one he said that man himself made the initive and then in turn, the motive made the man. he thought that nature had something to do in influencing motive, but not all. Pg 98 18th Lectures, and I argued a case in the evening. 19th Went into Boston to an auction, and bought some law books, came back, and attended moot court. 20th Lectures by Parker & Cushing, went to Boston in the afternoon, saw something of the poverty of some in town. Went through and around Quincy market, and it is more than ordinarily full at present, eatables of all kinds in great abundance it is quite a sight for a countryman at any time. One of the law students shot himself last night, it is said, he died immediately. 21st Lectures, and moot-court, some are leaving and more will soon. Cold & snowing a little. 22nd Dexter's lecture upon Eminent Domain, was good. It has snowed all day, there is snow about a foot, this is the first snow this season of any account. There was a fire this evening, just at twilight, with the snow, storm raging, the reflection of the fire at this time made quite picture[s]que sight, men hurrying about etc 23rd Finished Taylor's history of ancient books. I have been much interested with it, and hope I may own a copy of it, at some future period. 24th Sunday. Heard Dr Walker. In the forenoon he preached upon reasoning, In the afternoon, upon doing good to our enemies, which he illustrated very happily. Our few days of snow seems to be melting under a gentle rain. Pg 99 25th Christmas, raining, read some Evidence and some in the anecdotes of Chattam 26th Went to Boston and bought of Little & Brown one hundred and thirty eight dollars worth of law books, which in addition to some chosen volumes which I have picked up at [Burchaws?] and at auction in Boston and one or two volumes of the librarian will constitute my library to commence practice 27th Nothing remarkable, except Cushings lecture, and that not alarmingly so 28th Went to Boston and paid for my books, they amounted to $142,00, they came out in the evening all right. Lectures good, some sleighing etc. Saw a Chinese in Boston walking upon the side walk, he had on a cap and gown with belt around him his hair was braided in a long cue hanging down behind some three feet. Coming over the bridge saw a little negro boy have a sea gull which had been shot by a man, I asked the boy if he was going to eat the gull, says he yes, they are good to eat, but they are thundering tough though. 29th Dexter's lecture was upon the power of congress to legislate concerning the territories, and was a very fine lecture indeed (see com pleas book) this is his last lecture this term, next term he begins upon International Law. Pg100 30th Studied evidence by questions and answers. good sleighing, about one foot of snow. 31st Sunday, Dr Walker's text in the forenoon was "I believe help thou mine unbelief." He said that sceptics were apt to consider their doubts as evidence of superior intellect,- that they could see through things, or rather see difficulties, when others cannot. He admitted that doubts was evidence of thought but not of successful, but of baffled thought whereas greatness consisted in successful thought not only in seeing difficulties but seeing through them, or seeing that which makes doubts of no consequence. He said further that dwelling entirely upon the difficulties of religion made those difficulties the whole thing, and the mind was influenced by that which acted upon it and not upon what actually existed, he asked them to look at the whole picture, and not to pass by the many things which recommend religion to the